When MPs jump ship, Canadians lose

By Lethbridge Herald on March 7, 2026.

FROM THE HILL- MP RACHAEL THOMAS 

What makes a Member of Parliament cross the floor? Conflict, power, prestige, a new title, or perhaps significant international opportunities. 

While factors like ambition certainly play a role, I believe we’re missing a fundamental piece of the puzzle. 

When politicians cross the floor to join the government, they reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of their role. They lose sight of the vital function opposition plays in Canada and in any healthy democracy. The role of the opposition is not secondary. The Loyal Opposition provides essential accountability, advances alternative policy solutions, and gives voice to the many Canadians whose views must be represented and defended.

Those that choose to cross the floor abandon the principles and commitments that brought them to office in the first place. In doing so, they fail not only the community that elected them, but also the country and the democratic system they were entrusted to uphold.

The role of the Loyal Opposition is often overlooked. The concept traces back to the United Kingdom, where the term underscored an important principle: members of the opposition can vigorously challenge the government of the day while remaining loyal to the Crown and to the country’s democratic institutions. In Canada, the Loyal Opposition serves as a cornerstone of our parliamentary system. 

As the Loyal Opposition, we comb through government actions to expose wasteful spending, misleading claims, ethical violations, and to propose alternative policies. This work is essential for transparency, accountability, and protecting Canadians’ interests.

A recent example of this came during debate on the Budget Implementation Act. This was a 638-page bill packed with sweeping changes to Canadian law. Buried deep within it was a deeply troubling clause that would have granted Liberal ministers powers more suited to a king than to a cabinet minister in a democracy. The provision would have allowed any minister to exempt individuals or corporations from virtually any federal law, with the sole exception of the Criminal Code. That is extraordinary authority granted with virtually no meaningful safeguards.

Conservatives sounded the alarm. We introduced an amendment to rein in these powers and restore proper democratic oversight. Fortunately, that amendment was adopted, ensuring the bill included the safeguards Canadians expect.

This is the role of the opposition in action. We scrutinize legislation. We identify dangerous flaws. We hold the government to account. And we put forward real solutions that strengthen the democratic guardrails Canadians rely on.

When the government fails to act, the Loyal Opposition steps forward with bold and innovative solutions. Canadians have been waiting for more than a decade for meaningful online harms legislation to protect children and vulnerable Canadians. One of my Conservative colleagues has introduced such legislation in the form of Bill C-216, the Promotion of Safety in the Digital Age Act. This legislation would establish a duty of care for online platforms and introduce real enforcement mechanisms to protect children and hold predators accountable. 

The bill has garnered significant public support. Yet despite the urgency of this issue, parliamentary rules prevent Conservatives from bringing it forward for debate at this time. Still, there is nothing stopping the government from adopting its measures and introducing them as government legislation. 

This is another clear example of how the Loyal Opposition serves Canadians. We identify problems the government ignores, we propose practical solutions, and we focus on delivering real protections for the people we serve.

Being a part of the opposition isn’t easy. Our efforts are often overlooked or dismissed by the government. We bring forward real solutions with the hope of making a difference, only to face rejection or inaction from the Liberals. But this doesn’t make our work any less important.

Despite these challenges, the work of the opposition is what keeps our democracy strong. It ensures that no government operates without scrutiny and that Canadians’ voices are represented even when the ruling party turns a blind eye. Every question asked in Parliament, every amendment proposed, and every report issued is a reminder that accountability matters, and that policies must serve the public, not just political interests.

This brings us back to floor crossers. When a Member of Parliament jumps ship to join the government, it’s more than a political move, it’s a step away from the very heartbeat of our democracy. They turn their back on holding power to account, scrutinizing laws, and defending the interests of their electorate. 

Floor crossers overlook the role of the Loyal Opposition and, in doing so, miss the chance to truly stand up for Canadians and support a healthy, functioning democracy.